Taking their dreams to new heights, students arrive at California Aeronautical University in Bakersfield for the Bachelor of Science Aeronautics Program.
The open house for the three-year program brings students from all over the country to follow their dreams and is one step closer to take-off.
It gives students the opportunity to explore their new campus and get a taste of what their future experiences will be like.
“If you’re interested in studying aviation, it’s a dream; it really is,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management, Tamu Smith-Kohls.
He said the school offers many programs, but their main goal is to teach students who want to work as professional pilots how to fly and operate an airplane.
Although the program is an easy way to earn a degree compared to other competitor schools, the education they provide is standard.
“We concentrate on aviation majors, so most of our students get their bachelor of science in aeronautics, and that comes with six certificates and ratings, and we have an aircraft maintenance technology program,” says Smith-Kohls. “So if you’re looking at routes that are faster, faster, it’s not about speed; it’s about efficiency as well, so you can make sure you get that quality education in a short amount of time,” he added.
But it’s not just for people who want to fly an airplane; Smith-Kohls said they have an Aviation Business Degree for students who love being around aviation but want more of a management role.
Two years ago, the university started a mechanics program, an option for those who wanted hands-on work.
“Working in aircraft maintenance, there are many opportunities. You can work on cars, you can work on rollercoasters, and between pilot and maintenance, we need more than 600,000 between now and 2040,” he said.
Future students had the opportunity to walk around the campus and visit the aircraft that they will soon learn to operate, as well as sit in the pilot’s seat and feel their future.
